obi cleveland



July 28, 1931. RAGAN 1,816,655

CHUCKING MECHANISM Filed March 1, 1926 Fig.1.

. INVENTOR.

Ira/end fl'. Raga/2 A TTORNE Y5.

Patented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK H. RAG AN, OI CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE COLUMBIA AXLE COMPANY, OI CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION 01? OHIO CHUCKING MECHANISM Application filed March 1, 1926. Serial No. 91,388.

. larly directed to the provision of improved apparatus for chucking irregular pieces, that is, members having uneven or varying dimentions. A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus which shall be self-locking upon the beginning of rotation A of the chuck as a. whole and which shall I description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse longitudinal section through one form of my improved mechanism; Fig. 2 is a similar view more or less diagrammatic illustrating a modification of the invention, and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of the chuck, body and jaws.

Referring now to Fi 1 the apparatus is shown to consist of a hollow tubular stock receiving member 1, upon which are secured cylindrical elements 2 and 22, each of which is rotatabl mounted in a suitable support 4 or 24, w ich constitute the frame of the machine. Slidably disposed in suitable radially disposed openings in the member or head 2 are stock-engaging elements or jaws 5, which are provided at their outer ends with portions 9 inclined at an angle to the axis of the jaws 5 and provided with a dovetailed groove engaging over a corresponding projection on the inclined outer surfaces of actuating elements 8. The engagement between the actuating elements 8 and the jaws 5 is such that upon longitudinal movement of the elements in a direction parallel to the axis of the entire chuckin apparatus corresponding radial movement 1s 1m arted to the jaws 5, the jaws 5 being force radially i nward or pulled radially outward, dependmg upon t e direction of movement of the actuating elements. The actuating elements are slidably mounted within a head or cylindrical turret 6, which is in turn ro-' tatably mounted upon the tubular member 1 and is provided. with an internal thread 30 upon a longitudinally extending flange 12 which engages with a corresponding threaded portion 31 on a sleeve 14, which 1s rotatably mounted upon the tubular member 1 and is secured to the central hub 33 of a rotatable drivin element, which is here shown in the form 0% a pulley 13. The hub 33 of this driving element is provided with a longitudinally extending sleeve 34 slidably and rotatably bearing against the outer surface of the flange 12 of the head 6, and havlng a pro ecting circular rim 3,5 which is in slidable and gotatlable engagement'with the inner ongitu inal ro'ectin rear ortion of the head 6. y p 1 It will be obvious from the description to this point that rotation of the-head 6 and of the member 2, which is engaged by proectlng arms 11 extending from the inner portlon of the head 6 and into suitable recesses in the member 2, will also produce rotation of the jaws 5 which are carried in the member 2. Radial movement of the aws 5 is produced by longitudinal move ment of the head 6 in the following manner. The free ends of the actuating elements 8 pro ect into an annular chamber 7 formed 1n the head 6, which is filled with fluid or with material which is capable of bodily movement equivalent to the lastic flow of a fluid, such for example as he shot or the like. Longitudinal movement of the head 6 will cause corresponding movement of the actuating elements 8 through the medium of the fluid in the chamber 7, but upon engagement of any one of the radial arms 5 with the stock 18 further movement of this jaw is restrained and the pressure exerted through the other jaws on the stock is equalized through the fluid contained in the chamber 7, which is the intermediate agent between the'member 6 and the actuating elements 8. In this way the movement and engagement of the various jaws 5 is automatically adjusted to the same pressure on each of the various jaws, regardless of thecontour of the stock 18.

The operation of the head 6 and of the train of mechanism just described is pro-.

duced by rotation of the driving element or pulley 13. Upon the initial rotation of this pulley when the machine is set in motion the thread 31, at the inner hub of the pulley, screws the thread 30, carried on the member 6 longitudinally away from the pulley. This action occurs upon the initial rotation of the ulley and t is lon itudinal movement 01 the member 6 pro uces the movement of the actuating elements 8, and therethrough the radial movement of the engaging members 5. When the power is shut o however, the pulley 13 will first come to rest, due to the friction of the train of driving elements between it and the source of power, while the momentum of the head and the parts rotating with it is suificient to continue the rotation of this member beyond that of the pulley. with the result that the head will thread its head back toward the center of the pulley, thus releasing the pressure of the actuating elements 8 and causing the latter to be retarded, in this way withdrawing the radial jaws 5 from engagement with the stock.

.It will be readily understood that the present mechanism may be employed in chucking regular objects in which there is substantially no variation in the dimensions without any means for equalizing or adjusting the pressures and movements of the individual engaging jaws, and in this event the fluid equalizlng means may be omitted and the movement-of the head 6 may be employed directly to actuate the engaging elements 5 either through a direct engagement with the beveled ends of these members or through one or more actuating elements, such as the elements 8 which are here shown. It will also be understood that the elements 8 act in the present construction as pistons, and these elements are sealed against any leakage from the chamber 7 by means of packing 20 and packing nuts 21. It should be understood that the liquid contained in the head 6 operates merely as a cushion connection between head 6 and the pistons 8. Its prime function is to effect equalization of pressure on these pistons.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a modification of the invention in which a rotatable driving element, in the form of a'pulley 40, is provided with a hub 41 which has right and left-hand screws 42 and 43 engaging respectively corresponding threaded portions 44 and 45 on cylindrical members 46 and 47,

respectively. These members 46 and 47 are mounted upon a tubular housing 48, within which the stock is received. Each of the members 46 and 47 is provided with a beveled engaging surface 49 engaging upon a corresponding surface 49' on a series of "radial jaws 50, slidably mounted in heads 51 which are keyed to the tubular member 48. Upon the initial rotation of the pulley 40 the two members 46 and 47 are forced outwardly along the tubular member 48 through the right and left threading between the hub 41 and the sleves 44 and 45. Thisaction 'roduces a radially inward movement ofthe aws 50, and upon the engagement ofone set of jaws further outward movement of its actuating member ceases, after which the pulley 4O floats toward the other actuating member until it in turn has caused its jaws to engage the stock, whereupon the pulley remains in its then position, rotating the two members 46 and 47 and 'through'them the heads 51'and the engaged jaws.

The' present apparatus affords a simple and automatically engaging and adjusting chucking mechanism for use either on uniform or non-uniform stock and one which is quicker in operation that those now in general use.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of.

the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatable chuck ofv radially movable engaging. jaws carried thereby, an actuating element for for, a rotatable driving member for said chuck, and means interposed between said rotatable member and said actuating element, said means being operable upon the initial rotation of said driving member to operate said actuating element.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, radially movable jaws therein, a longitudinally movable actuating element therefor, a rotatable driving member, and means interposed between said rotatable member and said actuating element, said means being operable upon the initial rotation of said rotatable member to engage and operate said actuating element.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, radially movable jaws therein, an actuating element for each of said jaws, and means operable upon rotation of said rotatable member for operating said actuating elements.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, radially movable jaws therein, an actuating element for each of said jaws, a rotatable .member, means operable upon rotation of said rotatable member for operating said actuating elements, regulating pressure means interposed between said first-named means and said actuating elements, said pressure means acting to equalize the pressure exerted upon said jaws.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, radially movable jaws therein, an actuating element for each of said jaws, means operable upon rotation of said rotatable mem ber for operating said actuating elements, and fluid pressure means interposed between said first-named means and said actuating elements, said fluid pressure means acting to equalize the pressure exerted upon said jaws.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, radially movable jaws therein, individual actuating pistons for each of said jaws, means for operating said pistons and fluid pressure means for equalizing the pressure applied to each piston.

S. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, radially movable jaws therein, individual actuating pistons for each of said jaws, lluid pressure means for equalizing the pressure applied to said pistons, and means operable by said rotatable member for actuating said pistons upon the initial rotation of said member.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a series of radially arranged and radially movable engaging jaws, individual actuating elements therefor, a rotatable driving member, and means including fluid pressure means effective by rotation of said member to apply pressure to said actuating elements.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable chuck head provided with a sealed chamber, radially movable jaws in said chuck head, individual actuating pistons for said jaws extending in said chamber, and means for applying fluid pressure to said pistons in said chamber to actuate said jaws.

11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable chuck head, radially movable jaws mounted therein, a cylindrical member mounted concentrically on said chuck head, said member having an interior chamber containing a fluid, pistons extending into the interior of said hollow members and engaging said jaws, and means for bodily moving said hollow member longitudinally of said chuck head, whereby said pistons are actuated by fluid pressure to move said jaws.

12. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable chuck head, radially movable jaws mounted therein, a cylindrical member mounted concentrically on said chuck head and being movable longitudinally but not rotatably thereof, and said member having an annular li uid containing chamber, pistons extending into said chamber, said pistons being disposed longitudinally of said chuck head and en gaging said jaws, and means for longitudinally moving said cylindrical member to cause the liquid in said chamber to apply pressure to said pistons and said jaws to be actuated thereby.

13. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable chuck head, radially movable jaws mounted therein, a cylindrical member mounted concentrically on said chuck head and being movable longitudinally but not rotatably thereof, and said member having an annular liquid containing chamber, pistons extending into said chamber, said pistons being disposed longitudinally of said chuck head and engaging said jaws, and means including a rotatable driving element and a threaded connection between the same and said cylindrical member for first moving said member longitudinally in said chuck head and ther rotating the same with said chuck hea 14. In apparatus of the character de-. scribed, the combination of a rotatable chuck chuck head, and connections between said driving element and chuck head and operating elements, said connections being constructed to initially produce radial movement of said jaws and then rotation of said chuck head.

15. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotatable chuck head, radially movable jaws mounted therein, a pulley rotatably mounted on said chuck head, and an inner member interposed between said jaws and said pulley, and connections between said member and said pulley causing longitudinal movement of said member upon rotation of said pulley to actuate said jaws and then rotate said chuck head.

16. In a chuck, the combination of a cylinder, jaws radial? movable therein, a drivin pu ley for sai cylinder normally rotatab e thereon, and means actuated by the initial rotation of said pulley together with its own inertia for actuating said jaws and then rotating said cylinder.

17. In a chuck, the combination of a cylinder, jaws radially movable therein, a driving pulley for said cylinder normally 10 rotatable thereon, means actuated by the initial rotation of said pulley together with its own inertia, and hydraulic equalizing means operated by said first named means and adapted to operate said jaws.

18: In a chuck, the combination of a cylinder, jaws radially movable therein, a driving pulley for said cylinder normally I rotatable thereon, and equalizing means operated by the initial rotation of said pul- 20 ley to apply equal actuating pressures to said jaws.

19. In a chuck, the combination of a cylinder, jaws radially movable therein, a driving pulley for said cylinder normally rotatable thereon, an actuating element for said jaws mounted for longitudinal movement on said cylinder, said element having a threaded flange, and a threaded flange on said pulley engaged with said first-named 0 flange whereby rotation of said pulley causes longitudinal movement of said actuating element to operate said jaws.

20. In a chuck, the combination of a cylinder, jaws radially movable therein, a

driving pulley for said cylinder normally rotatable thereon, and fluid pressure means operable by the initial rotation of said pulley for simultaneously actuating said jaws.

21. In a chuck, the combination of a cylinder, jaws radially movable therein, a rotatable driving member for said cylinder, and means operable by its own inertia upon the slowing down of said driving member for radially moving said jaws in a releasing direction.

Signed by me this 26th day of February,

FREDERICK H. RAGAN. 

